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Questions to Denafrips Terminator Plus owners (the break-in)

I just registered to this forum as I saw a number of people using this dac, so I might receive some useful feedback from you guys.

I have just received it a few days ago and it only has less than 48 hours in my system (playing random songs and pink noise). From my research, this dac takes a long time to fully break in and it is recommended to be left on (standby or otherwise) 24/7.

Well, those are fine... but I’d like to ask how it sounds during the break-in? Now, still breaking in, I really don’t like the sound. the Terminator Plus replaces my Ayre QB9 Twenty, and whilst I can hear some more details with the TP, the sound in general, especially vocal is not pleasing at all... full of sibilant and mid-high irritation! I can’t believe this is the sound from R2R dac (which is generally known to be liquid and warm).
So for anyone who also have (or had) this dac, how was it in your system during break in? Would it be better after 200-ish hour mark? For now, I’m so disappointed with its sonic performance.

FYI, I’m using USB and I know that best practice is to use Denafrips’ DDC (e.g. Gaia / Hermes) to feed I2S, but I don’t believe the dac requires that DDC to sound "acceptable". My source is Aurender streamer which should at least send out acceptable quality USB signal, of course, currently my old dac sounds way, way better!

Thanks
tortor
christianb5s4
236 posts
 

@vonhelmholtz The good thing is that if you are smart in selecting components, you don’t have to worry about spending more because you’ll be content with the system and not feel the need to change things.

 

There's also a significant point of diminishing returns for an exponential increase in cost. I think for most, a well done but not crazy expensive system that gives you 90% of what a much more costly one would provide is something you could happily live with and not feel like you're missing out.

jaytor's avatar
jaytor
762 posts
 

@tortor - I'm interested in these footers. Where did you buy then from?

wjz500333
8 posts
 

I’m thinking about matting the terminator with my aurender N100. I’m worried since you need to use USB did you end up with a good match? 

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